Council is responsible for outdoor dining hub in Mayo's county town

RESPONSIBILITY for managing the new roofed dining hub at Market Square in Castlebar rests with Mayo County Council.

Pods and bins are to be installed at the site, where the canopy and lights are already in place.

Local businesses will be able to use the facility, or you can stop by with your own sandwich and sit down.

An explanation on how it works and who is responsible for running it was requested by local Councillor Michael Kilcoyne at the monthly municipal district meeting.

District head Iarla Moran said the space is for outdoor dining and the council is responsible for it. It is hoped that people will use it and respect it, using the bins provided. There won't be staff waiting on tables.

It is hoped businesses will get good use out of it.

The works will be completed in the coming weeks.

Councillor Kilcoyne said guidelines need to be drawn up.

Mr. Moran said the outdoor dining operation on Tucker Street last year was very successful and the businesses managed it themselves.

If successful it can be looked at for other areas in the town.

Councillor Donna Sheridan said it looks brilliant and is in a great spot. Friday at Market Square gives a real buzz to the area.

Councillor Cyril Burke said they should look at other locations down the road.

There was an opportunity for buskers too, he said. Maybe an area should be selected as a buskers' corner.